Director of Health Information Technology
BS, Business Management, University of Phoenix
MBA, Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P), American Health Information Management Assn.

What made you decide to specialize in Health Information Technology?

I have 22-plus years of healthcare experience in many areas: front office in the ER, outpatient, and inpatient offices, scheduling, billing and coding and clinic management. I have managed clinics from one provider to 43 providers. I thought my experiences could be shared in a classroom setting to further the knowledge of others.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

I love helping students reach their goals, albeit small or large, from understanding a concept to finishing the class.

What advice would you give current students or prospective students?

Study hard…this is not an easy career choice! There are many things to learn. You will always be learning in the ever changing world of healthcare.

What would you say to a student interested in pursuing a career in health information technology?

Health Information Technology is so vast that multiple careers can be attained with our Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology or the certificate programs we offer – Medical Billing and Coding, Electronic Health Records, Medical Office Administrative Assistant. This career can be used in any healthcare environment: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, medical equipment stores, insurance companies, government offices, etc. Don’t shut the door on your career. Be open to many possibilities in healthcare. The days of having one career for your entire life do not exist anymore. People change careers all the time. Above all…be happy!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Quilting, sewing dresses for my one-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, reading and spending time with my family.